A/N: Ok, this was a really, really long chapter to write, for me. I tried to get everything in there that you guys want to see. I should have the next chapter out in the a couple days. Thank you all for your reviews, I really appreciate it and can't wait to get more. I know some people are commenting on the cliffhangers, and I promise, I really try not to write them that way, but it's like I get to a good part and just can't write the rest of it. I am trying, though.
Also, I have posted a poll on my profile on whether I should slash this story or not, and if so, which pairing. Please stop by and vote. So far it's Optimus/Sam for the win.
And please, please review. It really motivates my writing. Thanks again!
Breem: 8.3 minutes
Stellar cycle: 7.5 months
Bold: Cybertronian speech
Bold and Italic: Cybertronian via comm link
"In quotes": English
Italics: thoughts
While Sam and Spindle walked along the city streets in search of Optimus and an alt-form for Spindle, the mech in question was busy contemplating the strange presence which had infiltrated his processors just 3.614 breems ago.
Shifting unhappily on his pedes, Ratchet explained the results of his scans. "I've scanned you with every possible filter, Optimus. The scans show nothing unusual. No viruses seem to be present and your memory core does not seem to be breached. I cannot explain what you experienced."
"Thank you for trying, Ratchet. It was a most strange feeling. Familiar, but also alien at the same time. Whatever it was, it knows where I am. I feel we should meet this entity and determine whether it is a threat, or an ally." Optimus turned to Ironhide and his faceplates lifted a little as he saw Ironhide standing ready for battle.
"Be prepared. If this intrusion into my processors was Decepticon related, we may need your cannons. It has been almost a stellar cycle since the Con's have attempted a direct assault. It makes me wary. We will wait here and monitor the activity on the streets. I do not think whoever it was is far from here."
Grunting an affirmation Ironhide moved towards the nearest wall. As he approached he sent a databurst to the network grid, summoning an access elevator to the surface, just in case.
In the time since Sam had left for parts unknown the battles between the factions had intensified. Great damage was done to major cities in every country in the world. Within ten years it was impossible for NEST to keep the secret of the Cybertronians anymore.
They became public knowledge after a particularly disastrous mission in Lagos, Nigeria. Nearly five hundred thousand civilians were killed when Decepticon Seekers decimated a section of the inner city in the Decepticon's attempt to control Nigeria as a whole. Though Cybertronians needed Energon to ultimately survive, possession of the oil-rich nation would mean a steady supply of crude fuel which could be refined to a useable state. The Autobots could not allow the Decepticon's to gain such a strategic advantage without a fight. Ultimately, seeing the loss of human life and acknowledging the Decepticon's superior forces, Optimus ordered a retreat. Just after the battle the presence of the alien transformers was revealed to the public.
However, the unmasking came with a bonus which nearly negated the effects of losing Nigeria to the Con's. Surprisingly, the world, for the most part, came out on the side of the Autobot's. Only a few nations, weak to begin with and sensing an opportunity to move up the power hierarchy, allied themselves to the Con's. The rest saw sense and placed their full support with the Autobots.
It was with this support that the Bots were able to use the funds and natural resources to cement their positions in several major cities. Los Angeles was one of them. The Los Angeles Air Force Base was expanded and served as the main command hub for the Western United States. Five 'Bots were permanently stationed at the base with the rest spread out across the world. Nations which supported the Autobots, particularly with money, wanted to have at least one 'Bot to call their own. The high-ranking 'Bots transferred between the various bases as needed, but Los Angeles, not far from Tranquility where it had all began, was considered home base.
In Los Angeles, an extensive underground tunnel system was constructed. Security cameras with sensor capabilities were placed throughout the city above, and after a couple attacks within the city the 'Bot's developed escape hatches throughout the city for the humans to take shelter within. A warning system was also put in place to inform humans throughout the city of a hostile attack. The system constantly tracked spark energy signals, reporting their every move to Red Alert.
It was this warning system which allowed Optimus, Ratchet, and Ironhide to know instantly of Runamuck's presence in the streets above them. Rising to their feet as the alarms began to sound, Optimus paused as Red Alert's voice came over the comm link.
Prime, this is Red Alert. A lone Decepticon is running up South Grand Avenue, one block north from your current location. Target is unknown but sensors indicate at least one spark is present. There may be a second. I'll attempt to identify. Red Alert, out.
Acknowledged. We will move to intercept. Notify me if you can determine what he's after. Prime, out.
"Ironhide, you're with me. Ratchet, remain in the tunnels and move to flank the 'Con."
Dashing into the waiting elevator Optimus and Ironhide fed the tracking information Red Alert was continuously feeding them into their map of the city. The elevator began to rise as they watched Ratchet's blue and grey form disappear down the tunnel.
Upon reaching the surface they could tell that they would not be able to navigate the streets in alt-form. The citizens of Los Angeles had done their best to move their vehicles to the sides of the streets, knowing the Autobots would come to help them, but it was an older part of town, and space was limited.
Thankfully, most of the humans in this area had already reached the escape hatches. The main stream of humans was down South Grand Avenue, away from the con's position.
Picking their way along the street, managing to avoid the majority of the cars, Optimus and Ironhide turned the corner. They could see the 'Con running up the avenue, taking no care to avoid the fleeing humans or their vehicles. As they made their way towards the 'Con they saw his attempt to stop force his pedes to skid out beneath him. As they got closer, priming their weapons to take him down, they saw him reaching into an escape hatch's open doorway.
Ironhide took first action, hitting the 'Con in the chest with an incendiary grenade which exploded on contact. As intended, the grenade caused enough pain to delay the 'Con from his goal. The distraction allowed Optimus to direct a databurst to the escape hatch's door mechanism, commanding it to close, thus immobilizing the arm. Moving closer now that the humans within the escape hatch were safe from shrapnel, Optimus and Ironhide ducked as the 'Con began firing in their direction. A lucky shot struck Ironhide in the shoulder, spinning him back onto the ground. He did not appear to be able to get up.
Red Alert to Optimus Prime. I have identified the Decepticon. It is Runamuck, a mid-level Decepticon courier/scout. I have been unable to identify his target. Also, the second Spark signature remains unknown. It does not match any of our records.
Excellent, Red Alert. This battle should be over shortly. Prime, out.
As Optimus closed the comm link, he saw Runamuck being pulled into the escape hatch. With Ironhide down Optimus knew he must end the battle as soon as possible. With that in mind, Optimus charged Runamuck's position, firing directly into the 'Con's spark chamber.
Confirming Runamuck was offline, Optimus ran back to Ironhide, who was just now regaining his pedes.
"Damn 'Con. Figures he'd hit me there. Ratchet is still waiting on the parts to repair my armor from our last battle. Almost six months now. Something about military requisition officers and chain of command. Slaggin' cheap humans." Ironhide grumbled quietly, checking on the damage and running system diagnostics as Optimus surveyed the damage incurred by the brief skirmish. Behind him humans started trickling out of the escape hatch Runamuck had been so interested in.
Ratchet to Optimus. We have a situation here. Please report to escape hatch 15R23-1588. NOW!
Optimus could hear the urgency in Ratchet's voice and turned back towards the escape hatch. "Ironhide, keep an optic on the humans leaving the escape hatch. Perhaps we can determine who or what Runamuck was after."
It took Optimus a few minutes to reach the escape hatch as humans were now flooding the street from nearby escape hatches. When he finally reached Ratchet his CMO was kneeling on the floor of the escape hatch, one hand on the ground cupping something while the other worked quickly on his helm, shifting through different scan types. Ratchet's hand obscured the object he was so interested in so Optimus announced his presence with what the humans termed a "clearing of the throat" noise.
Ratchet scooped the object of interest into his hand and Optimus heard a squawk that sounded like indignation before Ratchet moved back into the escape hatch, summoning Optimus with his free hand. The fit was a little tight for the Prime, but he managed. Ratchet was not known for subtlety, let alone secrecy, so this must be something of great importance, probably Runamuck's target.
Ratchet, what have you found? Oh and Ironhide has sustained some damage.
"Optimus, it's not possible. My scans all tell me the same thing, but it just can't be. It's NOT. POSSIBLE. Look!"
Ratchet uncurled his hand and showed its contents to Optimus.
"Sam?"
Shaking his head, Sam looked up at the leader of the Autobots, Prime to Cybertron, and his much missed friend.
"Hello, Optimus. Yes, it's me, Sam."
"But, it's not possible! You should be an old man! This must be some Decepticon trick."
Sighing, Sam rubbed his face a little in frustration. "I am not a Decepticon trick, Pretender, whatever. It's really me, Op'. It's a very long and painful story and I REALLY only want to tell it once. Can we please just go somewhere? And Ratchet should really tend to Ironhide. If we wait much longer you know he'll just say he's fine even if he's not." In the excitement, neither mech realized Sam had understood Optimus when he spoke in Cybertronian.
"Hm. The boy has a point. I suggest we return to headquarters, Prime. My scans detect nothing which could bring harm to the base."
"Very well. I've commed Ironhide. We'll use the tunnels. Give me the boy. You will need your servos free for Ironhide. It's that shoulder."
"Wonderful. As if there was any chance in this fragging universe that it wouldn't be the shoulder." Ratchet sniped as he shifted Sam over to the Prime.
You're right, Sam, he is sarcastic like me. Spindle intruded in the conversation, flying up to land on Sam's lap. Upon seeing Spindle, Optimus shifted a little and knocked Sam over to his side.
Optimus to Red Alert. I believe I have found the source of the second Spark. Seems to be a mini-con of unknown origin. We're returning to base. We can add its information to the database then and determine its allegiance.
Without waiting for a reply Optimus closed the comm link and looked down at Sam. The Prime had his doubts, but looking at the boy in his palm the Prime felt his doubt melt away. "It is so good to see you, my friend. You have been missed. I deduce, given Mikaela's absence that.. she is no longer with us?"
Sam lowered his head and took a few shaky breaths. Way to be sensitive, you overgrown heap! Now look what you did! Spindle commed angrily, glaring up at the Prime.
Realizing his mistake, Optimus quickly apologized as Sam shushed Spindle.
"That's ok, Optimus. You deduce correctly. Mikaela, she…" The arrival of Ironhide interrupted Sam, breaking the thick air of sadness.
"Sam?"
"You know, I'm really getting tired of hearing my name spoken like that. Yes, Ironhide, it's me. As I've said twice now, it's really me, Ratchet-verified and everything. The helicopter here is Spindle. I'm going to explain everything, just at the base where everyone can hear at once. Maybe you should let the base know, Optimus. Save everyone the shock."
Nodding, Optimus sent the message to the resident mech's at the base, wincing as they bombarded his comm frequency with responses and demands for answers. Only Sideswipe and Jolt knew Sam personally, but every Autobot had been told of those humans who had helped forge the original alliance between Autobot and humanity. The story of Sam had always invoked the most awe and amazement.
Optimus sent a generic "See you soon" in reply and the mech's entered the tunnels. Optimus placed Sam and Spindle on the ground and transformed into a very similar vehicle to the semi Sam was familiar with only the flame decals were green, blue, and white. Sam noticed the engine was nearly silent which was the biggest change to be noticed.
Climbing aboard Optimus, Sam watched as Spindle flew over into Ratchet's alt-form. "Ratchet wishes to examine Spindle. He noticed he does not speak and there appears to be some damage to the vocal processors."
"Ah, yeah. That's, uh, part of the story." Sam still felt guilty about that.
"Well, sit back and relax, Sam. It should take us about 20 minutes to reach the base."
Nodding, Sam laid back and closed his eyes. There might not be much engine noise, but the rumbling of the Prime's tires was enough to lull Sam into a much needed rest. Optimus, noticing Sam had nodded off, tinted his windows and slowly reclined Sam's seat.
A/N: If you want to kill me, I completely understand. Will have next chapter out ASAP. Please review, and don't forget to vote in the poll. Thank you all so much.
